6 Days Machame Route Hiking Safaris in Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Day 1: Arusha to Machame Camp

1. Machame
   7h
   Elevation: 1830 meters to 3100 meters
   Distance: 18 kilometers
   Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours
   Habitat: Montane Forest
   The drive from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. You now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. You continue a short distance until you reach the Machame Camp where you will overnight at.

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

1. Machame
   10h
   Elevation: 3100 meters to 3840 meters
   Distance: 9 kilometers
   Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours
   Habitat: Moorland
   After breakfast, you leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Then it will be time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

1. Machame
   10h
   levation: 3840 meters to 4630 meters to 3860 meters
   Distance: 15 kilometers
   Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours
   Habitat: Semi-desert
   From the Shira Plateau, you continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue, your direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, you come to the second junction which brings you up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4876 meters or 15,997 feet.
   
   You now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860 meters or 12,664 feet. Here, you will rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day. After breakfast, you leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

1. Machame
   10h
   Elevation: 3860 meters to 4600 meters
   Distance: 13 kilometers
   Hiking time: 8 hours
   Habitat: Alpine desert
   After breakfast, you leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (lunch at 4200 meters or 13,779 feet), and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. You continue up to the Barafu Hut. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here, you make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit (Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters) to Mweka Hut

1. Machame
   10h
   Elevation: 4600 meters to 5895 meters to 3100 meters
   Distance: 7 kilometers ascent / 23 kilometers descent
   Hiking time: 6 to 8 hours ascent / 7 to 8 hours descent
   Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
   Very early in the morning (midnight to 2:00 a.m.), you continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
   
   At Stella Point (5685 meters or 18,652 feet), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your one-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
   
   Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want a clothing for both extremes with you.
   
   From the summit, you now make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.

Day 6: Mweka Camp to Arusha

1. Arusha
   9h
   Elevation: 3100 meters to 1830 meters
   Distance: 15 kilometers
   Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours
   Habitat: Forest
   After breakfast, you continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Arusha.

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels